#452 - WSOP Notebook #25 - Mixed [Up] Hold ‘Em, Part I - Funny Shit

[written June 25th from the events of June 2nd]

The $5,000 Mixed Hold ‘Em was my shining moment of the World Series so far, which is odd because nothing good ever happened in that tournament.

I start by arriving late at 5:15 PM and have to ask which game we’re playing (limit hold ‘em) and the structure (100-200 with 50-100 blinds). I just feel like a rube having to ask after everyone else has played several hands. Barry Shulman is in Seat 2 and J.J. Liu is in Seat 3.

Layne Flack arrives just after me in Seat 9. A WSOP photographer goes around snapping pictures as they do at the beginning of all tournaments. Layne stops the photographer and asks, “Who do you work for?”

Photographer: “Harrah’s”.

Layne: “I just want to make sure there’s no funny shit.”

I ask Layne what would constitute “funny shit” but he never tells me.

6:15 PM - What is it about the vibe here? It’s so slow, I feel so tired, and I’m getting no cards.
6:40PM - Barry Shulman vs. Layne Flack in NLHE. Barry raised and Layne called in the big blind. The flop was 5-9-T. Layne leads with a bet and Barry calls. Ace on the turn. They keep raising until it’s all-in. Layne has 5-5 for the set. Barry has A-10 for top two pair. Layne has Barry covered but just by a few chips, with just one card to come, Barry stands up. But Barry hits an ace on the river to make a higher full house than Layne and doubles up. Layne now has just 300 chips left. No one says a word – no verbal shrugs, no self-deprecating comments. Layne is rock-silent, staring forward, like he’s daring someone to stare back. He busts a couple hands later running K-Q into A-A.

Maybe this is what he meant by “funny shit”.